The Boerne Champion boys have been virtually unbeatable during the previous two regular seasons but have fallen short in the playoffs, losing to the eventual Region IV-4A winner in 2009 (Hidalgo) and 2010 (Dripping Springs).

At the same time, the Champion girls have been unbeatable in the postseason, winning the past two IV-4A championships and earning trips to the Class 4A state tournament — despite not even winning their district.

This year, however, both squads appear in line to qualify for the state tournament in the same season, and in doing so, would accomplish something only Reagan and Churchill have done.

Bragging rights

Which Greater San Antonio area Class 5A district is the best? Is it 26-5A? Is it 25-5A? Is it 27-5A? One thing's for certain, each league will have its chance to make its case.

In a sign of how the city's population boom has led to parity, each district has boys and girls teams that are legitimate contenders to capture the Region IV-5A championship next month in Brownsville.

Reversal of fortunes

Before it was dropped from Class 5A to 4A during the UIL's realignment/reclassification in February 2010, the Smithson Valley girls had qualified for the playoffs six times in the previous eight seasons, including each of the past four.

But despite highly successful regular seasons, the Rangers often were left to ponder heartbreaking postseasons — shootout losses to Marshall in 2008 and Austin High last year, and first-round stunners to Austin Westlake and Austin Bowie in 2007 and 2009, respectively.

Back in 4A where it had its best season — a trip to the 2000 regional final — Smithson Valley is hoping that moving down leads to the team moving up in the postseason.

Welcome back

One of the intriguing things about the postseason is seeing how teams making their first playoff appearance will fare. This year, the back-story is about how old faces do when they return to their old stomping grounds.

The Roosevelt boys are in the postseason for the first time since 1994, when the Larry Schaffer-led Rough Riders were the area's top-ranked squad and advanced to the regional quarterfinals before a 1-0 loss against Austin Westlake.

Jay, by virtue of its 2-0 victory against Brandeis on Wednesday, is playoff-bound for the first time since 1999, when it lost to Lee in bidistrict. Smithson Valley, which played Fredericksburg on Thursday in a 4A bidistrict contest, is in the playoffs for the first time since 2004.